Recently, the Karen meme has been making the rounds and some people are not pleased. Essentially, Karen is entitled, ignorant and generally insufferable.
However, the latest controversy with this phrase stems from an unexpected source: Aunt Karen – a TikTok star known for her activism with White Lives Matter Facebook groups. It appears she may be on the winning end of this battle as well.
What is the Anti-Karens on Facebook Group?
The Anti-Karens on Facebook Group is a platform where women named Karen can come together to discuss and “reclaim” their reputation after it has been misused.
The term “Karen” has become a derogatory label for middle-aged white women who act entitled and rude. They often expect special treatment that doesn’t belong to them and have public meltdowns over minor inconveniences. Furthermore, these individuals tend to be closed-minded, having difficulty accepting other people’s views.
As the global awareness of the Covid-19 pandemic grew in March, many began labeling those living near them who refused to quarantine or wear masks as Karens. Some derided these women for their insolence; others took action by reporting them on neighborhood social media platforms such as Nextdoor.
Social media posts and memes began to associate the word “Karen” with stereotypically misogynistic behaviors such as anti-vaccination beliefs or sporting a bob haircut with blonde highlights. Some even engaged in multi-level marketing schemes and trite motivational messages on their profiles under the alias of “Karens.”
What was most intriguing about the way the internet responded to the Covid-19 outbreak was how Karen labeled itself with an increasingly racially charged association. What had previously been a disparaging caricature of entitled white women now became synonymous with white supremacy.
Karen” figure was fundamentally transformed by the explosion in Black Lives Matter activism and political debate that followed. With its newfound significance as a symbol of white supremacy and emblem for 2020’s fierce, racially charged debate over human rights, Karen once again became synonymous with this figure.
It’s difficult to say whether the “Karen” label has altered people’s views of women, but it certainly seems to have caused some to question their own class perceptions. It’s an odd phenomenon that many social media users seem to find amusing.
But it also raises a question that’s been bothering me for some time: Do these Karens have any black friends?
Why is there an Anti-Karens on Facebook Group?
The Anti-Karens on Facebook Group is a platform where people can discuss and critique the offensive, hateful and discriminatory uses of the term “Karen” by members of social media sites. This group strives to combat these harmful effects caused by using Karen as a label against people of color – especially women – while calling attention to its detrimental effects.
The term “Karen” is an internet stereotype of assertive white women who have been caught on video doing everything from calling the cops on their neighbors to screaming at store managers. Unfortunately, these videos often lead to real-life consequences like having their phones taken away or having their jobs threatened.
It’s not hard to understand why this has become such a popular term. These women seem unaware of the consequences of their actions, often times placing themselves above others (or even themselves) and behaving inappropriately. You can see them on viral videos demanding money back from restaurant managers or complaining about being charged too much for drinks.
This type of behavior is indicative of class prejudice and sexism, perpetuating the idea that certain types of women can be treated with respect and dignity, while others cannot.
Some might argue this, but their arguments are often from a very limited perspective and may not be valid. For instance, the idea that “Karen” is inherently a working class name doesn’t make much sense when we consider its origin in the US where class perceptions differ significantly from those in the UK.
Some have also raised the sexist issue of Karen being used as a term for middle-aged women. This should be taken into consideration, since sexism could certainly play a role in why this term is being misused.
These are only two of the many explanations put forward to explain why “Karen” is used in sexist and anti-Black slurs. While these discussions can get heated, it’s worth taking a closer look at them all to gain a better insight into why this issue needs to be addressed.
How do I join the Anti-Karens on Facebook Group?
There’s a Facebook group for those affected by the “Karen” meme who need support and understanding. In order to join, you need an active Facebook account as well as the capacity to set your own password; if not, ask someone trustworthy to assist with this task.
As you might expect, the Karen meme has generated much controversy online. It challenges stereotypical ideas about class, gender and race and has ignited intense online discussion.
The “Karen” meme began as a verbal attack and quickly spread online, becoming an iconic slur for middle-aged white women who are rude, entitled and often racist.
During the 2020 presidential election, the “Karen” slur became even more commonplace, particularly among people involved in Black Lives Matter protests. This offensive term has spread so widely on social media that many women have stopped using their real names due to it.
Slurs of this nature can be especially devastating, particularly to those who have experienced discrimination due to their skin color or name. That is why Denise Bradley (known as Aunt Karen on TikTok) has launched a YouTube channel in an effort to combat the slur.
In her videos, Bradley delves into the history of the “Karen” slur and shows how it’s used by racists online. She emphasizes that it isn’t just blacks or Hispanics who are being labeled with this epithet, but everyone.
She has a large YouTube following and her anti-racist views often get criticised. But her message remains unchanged: racism must be eradicated.
No matter your views on her, it is essential to support her efforts. She has an incredibly strong voice and serves as a great example of how comedy can be used to confront racism head-on.
Watch her video below to gain more insight into how she’s making a difference.
The “Karen” slur has been around for some time, but it never quite gained the notoriety it now enjoys. Recently, however, it’s become so widely accepted that public policy decisions such as San Francisco Board of Supervisors passing a law banning the term are being made with its influence behind closed doors.
How do I complain about it?
Facebook differs from most social media venues in that they don’t provide a comprehensive guide for deleting your page or account. Thankfully, they do have an accessible forum where complaints can be voiced quickly and efficiently. With the exception of writing an effective complaint letter, the many apps on offer can also be beneficial; just remember not to put all your eggs in one basket! With some luck and some serendipity you might just end up on the wrong end of a recent Facebook lottery!
